Climate change is a fiscal disaster for local governments − our study shows how it's testing communities in Florida

A new study of Florida’s fiscal vulnerability to climate change finds that flooding directly threatens many local tax bases.

William Butler, Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University • conversation
Oct. 5, 2023 ~11 min

Shelters can help homeless people by providing quiet and privacy, not just a bunk and a meal

As US cities struggle to reduce homelessness, two scholars explain how planners can reform shelter design to be more humane and to prioritize mental health and well-being.

Heather Ross, Clinical Associate Professor in Nursing and Clinical Associate Professor, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2023 ~10 min


Why your perception of climate change threats might depend on where you live – new research

People living in rural areas perceive the threat of climate change to be lower than people in cities.

Thora Tenbrink, Professor of Linguistics, Bangor University • conversation
Sept. 11, 2023 ~6 min

To reclaim downtowns from traffic, require developers to offer strategies for cutting car use

US cities are starting to reform laws that required developers to provide minimum amounts of parking. But there’s more they can do to loosen the auto’s grip on downtowns.

Chris McCahill, Managing Director, State Smart Transportation Initiative, University of Wisconsin-Madison • conversation
July 26, 2023 ~9 min

Right-to-charge laws bring the promise of EVs to apartments, condos and rentals

Illinois passed the latest law requiring new apartment buildings to be wired for EV chargers. Now apartment communities are figuring out the best ways to make shared charging work for everyone.

Eleftheria Kontou, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • conversation
June 27, 2023 ~8 min

UK food shortages: how growing more fruit and veg in cities could reduce the impact of empty supermarket shelves

UK supermarket shelves have been left bare of fresh produce in recent weeks – growing more fruit and veg in cities could reduce the severity of future shortages.

Jonathan Leake, Professor of Plant-Soil Interactions, University of Sheffield • conversation
March 14, 2023 ~7 min

Night skies are getting 9.6% brighter every year as light pollution erases stars for everyone

With the help of thousands of citizen scientists, a new study measured exactly how much brighter night skies are getting every year.

Connie Walker, Scientist, National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory • conversation
Feb. 23, 2023 ~6 min

LA's long, troubled history with urban oil drilling is nearing an end after years of health concerns

The Los Angeles area has over 20,000 active, idle or abandoned oil wells. The city and county have voted to ban new ones after studies showed health problems in residents living nearby.

Bhavna Shamasunder, Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy, Occidental College • conversation
Jan. 27, 2023 ~10 min


Atlanta's BeltLine shows how urban parks can drive 'green gentrification' if cities don't think about affordable housing at the start

A longtime critic of Atlanta’s BeltLine explains how the popular network of parks has increased inequality in the city and driven out lower-income residents.

Dan Immergluck, Professor of Urban Studies, Georgia State University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 ~10 min

Five ways drones will change the way buildings are designed

From building planning to heritage restoration and advance surveillance, drones are set to change the face of our cities – here’s how.

Ole B. Jensen, Professor of Urban Theory and Urban Design, Aalborg University • conversation
Dec. 1, 2022 ~6 min

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